ID verification plays a critical role in important transactions across all kinds of industries. Whether checking in, checking out, logging in, or signing up, finding a way to automate and streamline this process will improve outcomes both for companies and for their customers. Here are the top five reasons to automate your ID verification process.

1. SECURITY & RELIABILITY

Scanning devices that utilize secure ID verification software have a clear advantage over humans. No matter how savvy or experienced we may be, today’s devices can transfer data far more securely, accurately, and quickly than we can through manual data input. In addition, modern scanning devices also have the benefit of being able to read an array of symbologies, including 1D/2D barcodes, QR codes, and biometric data such as facial recognition.

2. CONVENIENCE & OPPORTUNITY

Self-service ID-scanning kiosks can alleviate the need to wait in lines, streamlining check-in and check-out processes across any number of real-world applications. They also provide ways for customers to quickly and efficiently enter shipping and billing information—or, say, view online shopping carts from within a brick-and-mortar location—while facilitating omnichannel and cross-channel capabilities like endless aisle.

3. FREE UP STAFF TO TACKLE MORE CHALLENGING TASKS

By automating simple and commonplace transactions and processes like ID verification, staff are freed up to focus their time on more complex customer interactions—or other duties entirely.

4. IMPROVE THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCE

Improving the consumer experience is vital to survival in retail today. Rather than laboriously typing via a keyboard or touchscreen—or having to share it with a sales associate—scanning tools enable customers to effortlessly import their personal information. Beyond facilitating sign-ups, scanning either loyalty or ID cards can trigger features such as loyalty discounts, click-to-collect product pick-up, personalized recommendations or the loading of saved personal preferences. This also presents a great opportunity for companies to cross-sell or upsell, which can boost revenue per transaction.

5. DATA TRACKING

We live in an age where the most successful companies base their decision-making on data rather than instinct. In addition to streamlining the customer experience, automating activities like ID verification opens up a world of sophisticated data tracking potential for companies and institutions, enabling them to track customer interactions in terms of who, what, where, and when, with unparalleled precision.